Nursing school with kids

luvihs · Dec 27, 2014

You can do it! I went to nursing school on a part time program while I was a single mom of a small child. I got a rather mindless retail job and took it slow. I was never one of those super moms who could bake a cake with one hand, putting a bandaid on a boo boo and holding a video conference as the CEO of a company.... Oh no. In fact I think I'm missing the "multi tasking gene". I had to get rid of the idea that only A grades were acceptable, in fact that went out the window in second semester but I got it done.

I had help from relatives and friends and I gave myself no choice. I stayed after class to ask questions whenever I needed to. I had my then five year old hold my flash cards and quiz me. It tickled her funny bone that Mom was in school too.

Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. I went to nursing school in my early forties and I do think my age helped. I had a pretty realistic picture of what I was getting into. I wasn't trying to be Florence Nightingale, just a really good nurse who found her niche.

AspiringNurseMW · Dec 27, 2014

Last semester : when I started my kids were 3.5 and 8 months. I took on 17 credits /6 classes. I also work part time from home 3 days a week. My husband mother work nights 4 days a week so I didn't have tons of support. I finished the semester with a 3.9 GPA. the secret is organization.

1) I had a planner with all the due dates, quiz dates, and test dates for ALL my classes. I even put important assignments a day or two early to make sure I completed them on time.

2) work AROUND your kids. I realized very early that I can't really focus well on big assignments or studying while the kids are awake. So when they ARE up is when I did household chores or assignments that were short /easy. I had to break my habit of cleaning while they slept, as this was now my designated study time.

3) I gave my husband assignments, lol. It became his job to clean our room. On his days off he does dishes and sweeps /mops our main floor. Temper expectations around the house. This is actually an issue with my mom because we are living with her until April and I refuse to sacrifice my school work to keep the house spotless. Oh well.

4) get a crock pot. Seriously. I would go food shopping one day a week and prep at breakfast and dinner for at least 5 days a week. All the meals required either going in the oven or throwing in my crockpot in the morning. Time AND money saver.

Try to involve your older child if you can. My 3 year old was fascinated by my anatomy and Physiology textbook. I explained what I could to her. In a sense it helped keep the possible why aren't you paying attention to me anymore feeling at bay.

I applied for the nursing program starting in the fall. You can totally do this!

AspiringNurseMW · Dec 27, 2014

Oh also I tip I learned this semester is studying is best done in 30-40 min increments. So I would study for 30 minutes, then do the dishes, study for another 30 min, then sweep a room, etc.

LPNchica · Dec 27, 2014

Hi

Dont become discouraged! I went threw my LPN program and am now about to graduate from my RN program with 3 kids and a full time job. It is hard but the key is managing your time. I literally have had no social life for the past 3 years but I'm ok with that because I know the grand prize at the end of the tunnel. You have to do like soooooo many of those dumb test in nursing school and PRIORITIZE!! :cry: Don't try to be super mom, PTA captain or any of those silly things...but realize you will feel stressed at times but you can do it!

mamalev6 · Dec 27, 2014

Don't doubt yourself! Stay focused and it's possible, I have 4 kids and worked full time while getting my LPN diploma.

akg713, CNA · Dec 27, 2014

You can do it!! I have a 17 month old and work the weekends and also I'm a full time student .. i usually study when my daughter is either napping during the day or when she goes to sleep at nights and also I would attempt to study while I had her playing with her toys .. but skmetimes that doesn't work for me she'll be taking my papers and pens and wanting to write on them lol.. she goes to daycare while im in school I usually stay 2/3hrs extra to do my homework .. it may get difficult but you can do it!!!

Moriah02 · Dec 29, 2014

You can do it. When I graduated my children were 3,5,13,&14. It does take a lot of time and studying but the time will fly by before you know it.

TooManyCats, ASN, BSN · Dec 30, 2014

I'm halfway through my second year of school, applying for Fall '15 nursing. I have two little kids, 3 and 5, and it's hard but so doable and so worth it. I have a lot of late nights, my husband has to chip in a lot with household tasks, and we eat a lot of crock pot meals and pizza, but life is good and we've really gotten used to it.

jjmm RN,BSN · Dec 30, 2014

I expect to graduate in May from an accelerated BSN program. I started when my kids were 1 and 2 (now 1 and 3). I worked per diem as an aide (about once a week sometimes the whole weekend) the whole time. I'm not gonna lie, its pretty hard, but I managed a 3.8 gpa and am pretty sure I will graduate. Be VERY organized, ask for help when you need it, and let the house be messy sometimes, it won't be the end of the world. There were a lot of nights when my family ate fish sticks and pizza, but not every night, and in the end it will be worth it. Just be prepared to work your orifice off, practice stress relief and self care when you can, and believe in yourself. Good luck!